Having a strong sense of utang na loob, or debt of gratitude, has long been part of the Filipino culture and tradition. Filipinos are known to always possess the willingness of giving back and caring especially for older loved ones. We strive to show our concern and support them in any way so they can live a long and meaningful life.

We all have those special people who’ve supported us at every stage of our lives and whom we are grateful for. Our parents, grandparents, mentors, or maybe even colleagues – these are the people who unconditionally devoted their time, love, and efforts to help us achieve our goals in life.

We may be too busy with our day-to-day schedules while our older loved ones are slowly losing their strength and their ability to do the things they love. We start to ask ourselves: “Is there any way I can give back and make sure that my ageing loved ones can continue enjoying and living full lives?”

Start taking a step forward and to make sure age will not stop your loved ones from living a healthier and happier life with these 4 Es:

First 2 Es: Encouragement and Empathy

For all of us, there comes a time, when our loved ones may not be able to enjoy activities that they used to do. They may have to eventually stop going for long drives, playing their favorite sports, or dancing to the songs of their favorite artist. Limitations like this can sometimes be frustrating for them especially as it prevents them from doing what they love and bonding with their friends and families.

As our loved ones age, it doesn’t mean they have to sit back at home and remain on self-imposed house arrest. They can still enjoy their life engaging in physical activities that they enjoy especially if they are being surrounded by people who support and encourage them to live their life fully and to stick to health objectives. It’s important that they feel loved and they are reminded that they can count on their families and friends whenever they need support as they grow old. Encourage them to keep reaching their goals and stay motivated in living the life they love.

Second 2 Es: Exercise and Ensure® Gold

You will start noticing that ageing is starting to take its toll on your loved ones’ strength when health conditions such as sarcopenia – the loss of muscle and strength – arise.

Research states that starting at the age of 40, one can lose up to 8% of muscle mass each decade. Unfortunately, understanding the value of good nutrition and regular exercise is usually overlooked with age. Our loved ones tend to forget the impact of having muscle strength on their everyday quality of life.

Apart from balanced diet, oral nutritional supplements can help in making sure that muscle loss is prevented. For this reason, leading adult nutrition company Abbott launched its new Ensure® Gold formula, first in the Philippines, with the nutritional ingredient HMB (beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid) to help ageing adults get important nutrients and maintain muscle to #EnsureTheirStrength.

Ensure® Gold brand ambassador and actor Dingdong Dantes shared his thoughts on giving back and making sure he continues to support his loved ones, “I really believe that age shouldn’t hinder our older loved ones from the things that they love to do. My dad still has dreams he wants to fulfill and it’s important for me that I’m able to give back to him and support his needs. It feels great that there are available supplements like Ensure® Gold that can give our loved ones the nutritional support they need to restore and maintain their strength.”

Besides family, Dingdong is grateful for the love that he continues to get from his friends ever since he started his career in showbiz and aims to also give back to them, “My goal of giving back doesn’t stop with my family. I also treasure the support I’m getting from my industry friends who helped me get to where I am today. That includes Geleen Eugenio, my former dance choreographer when I was part of the Abztract Dancers.”

“I was glad to know that same as my Dad, Tita Geleen also drinks Ensure® Gold. Dancing is her life and she has so much passion for it, I would love to see her stay strong so she can continue doing what she loves. So, when I learned that Abbott released the new Ensure® Gold improved with HMB, I told her about it and encouraged her to try,” said Dingdong

Veteran choreographer Geleen Eugenio proves that regular exercises like dancing helps in strengthening muscles. She continues to work as a stage director and choreographer, even at the age of 65. This active lifestyle keeps her up and running with the help of taking the new Ensure® Gold, as recommended by one of her mentees, Dingdong Dantes.

“I have to admit that it became a challenge to keep up with some activities that I wanted to do. Dancing is really my first love, so I am very appreciative of friends like Dingdong who support me in what I love to do. When Dingdong told me that there is a new Ensure® Gold with HMB, I was so eager to try it out, knowing that I also need to step up when it comes to taking care of myself and my muscle health. The improved strength that I now have allows me to continue to dance and stay active, even at my age”, said Geleen Eugenio.

The new Ensure® Gold is scientifically formulated with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D and 28 vitamins and minerals to help rebuild muscles to stay strong. HMB is a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine which supports muscle health. It is naturally found in small amounts in some foods and in your body, but levels may decline with age.

Dr. Jun Dimaano, area medical director for Abbott Asia Pacific said, “Nutrition is the foundation of good health and has been proven to improve health outcomes. We are excited to launch new Ensure® Gold with HMB as a gift of strength to adults in the Philippines, so they can carry on doing the things they love to do each day into their golden years.”

Just like Dingdong, encourage the people you love and care for the most to stay healthy by sharing with them the gift of strength to help them through their daily lives. Filipinos’ belief in “utang na loob” flows in as we express our love and effort to care for and give thanks to these people who have made us who we are today.